Modify

Modify - Issue 25: The Long and Short of DOOM 3

The heavyweight of the group isn't particularly portly by modern modding standards, but even at a modest 35MB, Thomas Creutzenberg's Once Upon a Time map packs a solid punch. This German-built add-on, which works in both single and multiplayer modes, is a multilevel affair that compares quite well to most of the default id-created environments.

Your introduction to the map comes via a cryptic readme file that explains how "your jeep just broke down next to the old complex which was invaded by enemy forces a long time before the eighth war. You need a new vehicle to escape... and they know you're here." Damn, where's that auto club card when you need it?

As with the previous two mapmakers, Herr Creutzenberg likes to challenge people, so don't expect to see any of that one-enemy-at-a-time crap here. There are several dozen rooms, corridors and passageways to work through, with some containing legions of imps, zombies, cacodemons and almost every other monster in D3's extensive inventory. (DOOM 3 map builders must be a remarkably talented lot when it comes to playing the game because they seem to like facing double-digit enemy counts at every turn.) To ramp up the difficulty even more, most of the enemy Marines you face are equipped with bullet-deflecting riot shields.

Its lethally lopsided gameplay balance notwithstanding, Once Upon a Time is an exceptionally well-crafted add-on that looks great from every angle. An elaborate open elevator system transports you between floors, there are several locked areas requiring hidden keys, and a number of operational computers are available in some of the rooms. Some of these can convey explosive barrels into enemy-occupied rooms (perfect as remote bombs) while others feature working computer "games" like Super Turbo Turkey Puncher.

I suppose it says something about the playability and craftsmanship of the map that I didn't once consider abandoning my quest for that replacement vehicle to build up my turkey-punching score on that backroom PC (and I was getting pretty good at it too).